Dental crowns are custom-made caps that restore decayed, weak, or broken teeth. They also restore teeth that need root canal treatment. Crowns can enhance chewing ability and improve your smile's appearance.
The average price for a dental crown in Fairfield County, CT, is $1250 to $2.200, depending on the crown's material, size, and position.
About Dental Crowns
A dental crown can cover a compromised tooth and restore your smile's healthy function and appearance. Dentists precisely shape crowns to match the size and shape of your original tooth.
Dental Crown Materials
Your dentist will choose a crown material based on your needs. The four most common crown materials are:
- Ceramic: Ceramic crowns provide the most lifelike appearance and are good choices for the front teeth.
- Base Metal Alloy: Base metal crowns are tough and corrosion-resistant. The dentist can install them with a smaller amount of tooth surface remaining.
- Porcelain over Metal: This crown type combines a natural appearance with tough construction.
- Gold Alloy: Gold crowns are the most durable, and patients who clench or grind their teeth benefit most from their use.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
Getting a crown usually takes two appointments: planning the crown's construction and installing the final product. Patients find the procedure comfortable with a local anesthetic.
During the first appointment, the dentist will take digital or physical impressions of the area around the damaged tooth to ensure the best fit. They prepare the tooth, removing damaged areas and smoothing any breakage. Sometimes, the dentist must build a post to attach the crown. The dentist then takes another set of impressions of the prepared tooth so the crown's interior fits perfectly.
The dentist uses a temporary crown to protect the tooth while the lab creates the final version. When the final crown arrives, the dentist fine-tunes the fit and cements it into place.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Keep Natural Roots Intact
Since crowns leave the tooth's original root system intact, they help to maintain jawbone strength and keep the adjacent teeth in place.
Save Natural Teeth
In many cases, a crown can save a natural tooth from extraction. Dentists can often restore teeth that need root canals, preserving them well into the future.
Long-Lasting
Crowns last several years before needing replacement due to normal wear and tear. If you take proper care of your crown, it will last longer. If a crown falls out, the dentist can usually cement it into place.
Improve Appearance
A discolored, decayed, or broken tooth may make you self-conscious about your smile. You will gladly share your smile when you have a beautiful new crown that matches your healthy teeth.
Improve Chewing Ability
Crowns can easily withstand normal bite force and provide top-notch chewing performance. You can eat almost any food with a crown, but be cautious with gum, caramel, and other sticky foods to avoid pulling the crown out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
Why do I need a crown instead of a filling?
If your dentist tells you that you need a crown instead of a filling, the tooth may have sustained too much damage for a filling to repair it. The dentist cannot use a filling if sufficient natural tooth structure is absent.
A crown can repair teeth with extensive decay or breakage, though the tooth may require extraction if the remaining tooth structure cannot support a crown.
How long does a dental crown last, and what can I do to lengthen its life?
Dental crowns generally last five to 15 years, though they can last for decades with excellent oral care.
To extend the useful life of your crown:
- Practice careful at-home oral hygiene.
- Avoid chewing pens, ice, or other hard objects.
- If you grind your teeth, let your dentist know so they can fit you for a night guard.
Call Howard Levitt DDS
If you have a problem tooth, a crown may be able to restore it. Crowns are durable and attractive and can improve your ability to chew. They preserve natural root systems, leading to better jaw health.
If you need a dental crown or have questions about the process, please call our Brookfield, CT, office at 203-775-2225.